Hi All,

My XK8 needs a few front suspension parts (front upper and lower wishbones, tie rod ends, antiroll bar etc). I already ordered them through the local jag dealer - they offered a discount and the price is better than the refurbished ones.

However, i don't want to throw the old ones as i'd like to refurbish them. I saw this service is offered by a UK company (Berkshire Jag Components) but i was thinking to do it locally (i'm sure i can find a local performance shop able to do that). Question is where should i source the bushes from?

Thank you

 

Use Powerflex polybushes (the blue/purple ones) - they are easy to fit (although the Jaguar OEM bushes are not so easy to remove) and work very, very well. You'll have heard of problems with other makes of polybush (noise, vibration, harshness) but I have been a Powerflex user on multiple cars over the years, and have never regretted fitting them.


Companies such as Eurocarparts.com will stock them. Just make sure they are Powerflex and not some other make, they are not all equal in my experience !


Powerflex - Performance Polyurethane Bushes

 

The problem with the 4 Wishbones is the ball joints are likely bad. Unless you have a 12 ton or larger press, you are going to spend hours, if not days, trying to remove/install the ball joints.

Refurbished wishbones are expensive due to the ball joint labor. The Bushings are the easy part.

 

Now i get it. And the ball joints are easy to be sourced?

Thank you.

 

The Balljoints are readily available and cheap in the UK. I did my lower balljoints in January (I have a 20 Ton press) and they came from the UK (via Rockauto.com). They were less than $20 USD each.

In the US, Local Autoparts chain stores don't carry the lowers (likely because they are so hard to DIY) and shipping them in from the UK was cheaper than buying them from Jaguar Specialty retailers.

 

Thank you i am based in Europe so UK is fine. I just need to find that press...

 

I took my upper and lower to a machine shop and had them removed and install new ball joints installed. Cost $40 each but worth it.

 

That's a steal! Took me hours to get 2 of mine to pop out and I still think I have hearing loss from the bang. I love the purple powerflex bushes I put in mine.

 

That pop is one of the most terrifying, yet satisfying (after I made sure nothing broke) things I've done to a car.

I agree $40 is a steal, especially if that is old out/new in... That's crazy cheap. I seriously doubt he'd do it for $40 for the next XK8 guy that shows up.